Rabies

Wild animals pose a rabies threat to pets.If you see wild animals during daylight hours or behaving erratically they may be rabid. Call 972.223.6111 to report such behavior to an Animal Control officer.

Take Action

January through March seems to be the most active months for sick wild animals to be seen. If a raccoon, skunk or fox is seen during daylight hours, please call dispatch at 972.223.6111 as soon as possible and give the exact location of the animal. Animal Bite Safety and the Rabies Virus Texas State Law requires that an animal bite and / or scratch be reported within 24 hours to the local Animal Control Authority, mainly because of the possible spread of the rabies virus.

Quarantine

A domestic dog, cat, or ferret must be quarantined for 10 days during the rabies observation period (whether rabies vaccinations are current or not) or humanely euthanized and tested for the virus. The reason that the quarantine period is 10 days is because the virus can only be transferred from saliva to blood during the final stage of incubation (which is normally 5 to 8 days before the rabid animal dies).

Rabid Animals

A wild mammal that causes an unprovoked bite must be euthanized and tested, regardless of the species. The most common mammals known to possibly carry the rabies virus are: skunks, bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and wolves, all are mostly nocturnal.